Together in Christ: 'Freed to Serve Like Jesus' — Galatians 5:13-14

Sunday, July 14, 2024

Merry Christmas!

We pray the Lord blesses you with the grace of Jesus' presence this Christmas!

 Read More
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
— Galatians 5:13-14 NLT

Key Thought

Imagine how glorious life would be if everyone truly realized they are free in Christ and used that freedom to serve someone else. Jesus died to demonstrate and create a new Kingdom culture of loving and sacrificial service. [1] As Jesus' followers, we are a "freed-to-serve" family! How do we know? In addition to Paul's unambiguous message to the Galatians in our relationship verses for today, think about these other principles we learn from Jesus:

  • He demonstrated His love and service to His disciples on the night of His betrayal by washing their feet, knowing they were about to betray, deny, and abandon Him. [2] He served them knowing that He had all power and was returning to the Father. [3]
     
  • Shortly before He was arrested, Jesus prayed for His disciples to be unified in love. [4] He knew that people of the world would discover that the Father had sent Him only if His followers are unified in love. [5]
     
  • When we are set free from sin, death, and hell, we focus our hearts on Jesus and reflect the Lord's glory as we are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit to be like Him. [6]
     
  • With Jesus as our hero, Savior, and model, we choose to serve others rather than seeking to be served. [7]
     

Freedom for us as followers of Jesus means we are free from worrying about our future, status, and importance. Those are all in God's hands. Because of this freedom, we can choose to love others as Jesus has loved us and serve them as Jesus has served us. This "freed-to-serve" lifestyle is how people recognize us as Jesus' disciples. [8]

[1] Philippians 2:1-11.
[2] John 13:6-38; Mark 14:49-50.
[3] John 13:1-5.
[4] John 17:20-26.
[5] John 17:21, 23.
[6] 2 Corinthians 3:17-18.
[7] Mark 10:35-45.
[8] John 13:34-35.

Today's Prayer

Father, open my heart to the astounding truth of my freedom in Christ. Holy Spirit, conform my heart to be like Jesus' heart. Open my eyes to how I can serve others and bless them as they seek to walk in the light of their freedom in Christ. In His name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 10:35-45
  • John 13:1-35

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, July 14, 2024

What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Entrance Requirements?' (Mk. 10:17)
"As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit..."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
2 Chronicles 7:14
"[The LORD appeared to Solomon upon the completion of the temple and said,] "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'All You Servants of the Lord'
"Oh, praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, you who serve him night and day ..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God's Power Over Death for Us!' (1 Co. 6:14)
"By his power God has raised the Lord from the dead and will also raise us from the dead."

Illustration

Illustration of Galatians 5:13-14 NLT — For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Together in Christ